Have you read, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas? It’s such an important book about dog rescue. You will pawsitively love it! Come see my review here on my other blog.
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The Twelve Dogs of Christmas
Tag: animals
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TOP TEN TUESDAY
Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic was submitted by Susan @ Bloggin’ bout Books, and is Bookish Jobs I Would Do For Free (Real or Imaginary). Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
Bookish Jobs I Would Do For Free
Now considering money is no issue I’d love to do these bookish things.
Recommend books based on a person’s interest.
Set up a little free library. I have so many books to give away.
Open a used bookstore/bakery coffee shop.
Collect donations of children’s books for children and set up a reading program with older adults reading to them and they would get books and snacks to take home with them.
Set up a program where children would read to a pet. We have this program at our library, and it works beautifully.
Be a personal assistant for authors
Have author interviews on my blog
Start a book blog meme
Work at a library checking out and shelving books.
Help set up for a public book sale.
What types of bookish things would you love to do ?
Austin Guinea Pig Rescue looking for people to care for animals abandoned along I-35, MoPac
Austin American-Statesman
Guinea pigs can learn people’s voices. That’s why every time Elizabeth Mack goes downstairs and says good morning, she’s greeted by a high-pitched chorus of squeaks.
The squeaks continue whenever Mack retrieves some lettuce from the fridge next to her dining room, which she converted into a sanctuary for the 24 little rodents — 31 if Mack’s own seven are taken into account. Large, topless cages sit on and underneath several tables, each one housing usually two or three guinea pigs.
Then there are the two, free-roaming lop-eared rabbits that Mack said act as the guinea pigs’ guardians.
Mack is the president of Austin Guinea Pig Rescue, an organization that’s been around for 17 years. But in just the past few months, Mack has faced a hefty challenge: There’s apparently a breeder dumping dozens of guinea pigs along Interstate 35 and MoPac Boulevard and in park bathrooms.
Many of these guinea pigs came to Mack pregnant or with health problems such as satin syndrome, which causes skull deformity and bone decalcification.
“The reason why this person is offloading pregnant animals and (satin syndrome guinea pigs) is this is what happens, and they get sick, and they die horribly,” Mack said. “We knew it was a breeder because let’s just say in an average year, we get maybe one or two satins. We’re up to 22.”
The dumping started in August in Northeast Austin. Since then, it has grown more frequent. Mack keeps track of the abandoned guinea pigs’ locations, and she said the breeder never reuses a spot.
“In August, I got a phone call about two pigs in the park, and some lady brought them to my house, and they were satins,” Mack said. “And I thought, ‘That’s weird.’ Then a week later, the shelter said someone had dropped off guinea pigs found in the woods. And I was like park, woods, interesting.”
Mack said she’s speaking out about the dumpings now because she needs fosters and adopters for the increasing number of guinea pigs — and their soon-to-arrive babies.
“We think (the breeder is) getting more desperate because the number of pregnant females they’re dumping, which is the breeder stock, pretty much every female we’re picking up, they’re all pregnant,” Mack said.
In one particular rescue, Mack said she took an entire deck apart “in the pitch-black dark” to reach a guinea pig.
“It was going below freezing, and they can’t survive freezing temps,” Mack said. “And the city of Cedar Park was so wonderful because it took me 3½ hours to get the whole deck a part, get the guinea pig and then we had hours putting it back together. And, of course, we didn’t do it perfect, and they were really sweet about it.”
Mack said she hopes to eventually build intake centers for rescued guinea pigs, but in the meantime, she needs help finding homes for the current ones. Practically all of them, she said, love affection such as scratches and cuddles.
“Guinea pigs are born loving and gentle. Abuse makes them mean. They’re literally born absolutely gentle and docile, … which is why they make really good pets.”
Those interested in fostering or adopting as well as volunteering or donating can visit austinguineapigrescue.com for information and application forms. The organization provides fosters with all needed supplies, Mack said. If at any point a foster or adopter can no longer take care of their guinea pig, they can return the animal to Austin Guinea Pig Rescue.
Guinea pigs with satin syndrome will not be available for adoption. They will become what Mack called sanctuary pigs and go to special foster homes that handle their medical needs until the end of their lives.
Mack wants to offer amnesty to the breeder for the sake of the guinea pigs’ health and safety.
“Look, no questions asked. We understand you got over your head,” Mack said. “Please just surrender so we don’t have to lose any more of these animals.”
Thank you for visiting today.
378 pages Avon Publisher September 20,2022 Publish Date
About the Book
For anyone who ever loved All Creatures Great and Small, Annie England Noblin’s newest novel—about a big city vet transplanted to a small Wisconsin town—is pure delight as we meet aging alpacas, stump-tailed cats, goats in tutus, a vagabond border collie named Kevin, and the people who think they own them. And through it all, Goldie McKenzie, DVM, navigating the small town of Blue Dog, Wisconsin.
Welcome to Blue Dog Valley. Home of the Fighting Elk. Population 3,411.
When Goldie McKenzie, DVM, vet to the L.A. pet stars, arrives from Los Angeles to Blue Dog Valley she realizes three things.
- Never agree to upend your life when you’re hungover
- Pot-belly pigs are not true farm animals
- She’s going to need a warmer coat
At first Goldie is nothing more than a fish out of water, with few clients and few friends. But after a less than pleasant encounter with a man whose dog is suffering from a possibly fatal case of bloat, she’s finally earning the trust and goodwill from her fellow Blue Dog Valley citizens. Her clientele grows to include the many farm animals in the town, including a horse named Large Marge, a cape-wearing therapy alpaca, and a yardful of sweater-wearing goats. Add in Kevin, the “worst sheepdog in Blue Dog Valley,” and a Sphinx cat named Airport, and Goldie is having the best time a vet can have. . . aside from the annoying attractive town grump, Cohen, who seems intent on making sure she always feels like an outsider.
With her newfound goodwill, Goldie comes up with an idea to reinvigorate the once flourishing Blue Dog Valley: a Christmas carnival. A petting zoo, pictures with Santa, a baking contest, what more could they want? After only some brief resistance from Cohen and his father, they begin the great plan to reinvigorate Blue Dog Valley.
Will Christmas be enough to salvage this dying town—and be enough to bring Goldie closer to a certain grumpy man?
Grab A Copy Here
My Thoughts
This was such a fun story to read and a nice break from the heavier historical books I’ve been reading recently.
You’ve got to admit Blue Dog Valley is an unusual name, but I liked it. It’s the name of a town in Wisconsin, I’m not sure if it’s a fictional town or not.
A young woman, a veterinarian goes through a bad breakup in Cali where she’s she from and on a whim buys a sight unseen veterinarians office in Wisconsin.
From acquiring a cat at the airport to feeling like a fish out of water in her new surroundings this book is fun and funny. Wisconsin is a whole lot different than California and its never more evident than when she arrives at her new veterinarians’ office dressed up and everyone else wears boots and jeans.
At one point the book had me laughing out loud reading a part where she wakes up with a hissing cat on her head.
I loved the small town; everyone knows everyone, aspect of the story.
The characters are great, the typical grumpy yet friendly old guys at the diner, the gossipy old ladies, the farmers and their animals.
I thought it was so fun to read about the country house calls she makes for horses, alpacas and a cat.
There was some family drama, but a very nice reunion happened too.
I enjoyed seeing Blue Dog Valley’s Christmas carnival and how the town’s people all jumped in and worked together planning it and running it.
I will be on the lookout for more books by this author.
Pub Date 20 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
About The Author
Annie England Noblin lives with her son, husband, and three dogs in the Missouri Ozarks. She graduated with an M.A. in creative writing from Missouri State University and currently teaches English and communications for Arkansas State University in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She spends her free time playing make-believe, feeding stray cats, and working with animal shelters across the country to save homeless dogs.
I hope you’re having a great day. Thanks for stopping in today.
This is a children’s book, but I think it works wonderfully as a book adults can read especially adults that enjoy guinea pigs. Beautiful illustrations really enhance the book. Perfect for gift giving and reading to the children in your life.
About The Book
Do you ever wonder about your pets and what adventures they may get up to? What they might experience when you’re not around? And, finally, where you’d be without them?
The Guinea Pig Chronicles is based on the lives and adventures of six real life guinea pigs, owned by the author and her family over a period of twenty years.
Fluffy was a brave explorer and rescued his friend from the jungle garden. Hamish was beautiful, but very unlucky. What he experienced shows how brave he was as well. A sore eye, sunstroke and toothache meant he got to know the vet very well! Jynesse was named after a well-known health drink, and ‘narrowly escaped’ becoming a celebrity. Winter and her friend experienced snow for the first time – and met Father Christmas! Autumn was a born mother and fulfilled her destiny by meeting handsome Valentino. Two became seven after the arrival of five beautiful baby guinea pigs. Stripey was one of Autumn’s babies and stayed with Autumn when the other babies found new homes. Finally, Stripey was special because she was the ‘last one’.
Each of the stories also shows how, when caring for a pet, human beings learn some valuable and important lessons. With charming illustrations by Katie John to accompany the stories, The Guinea Pig Chronicles is perfect for 7 – 9 year olds or anybody who loves guinea pigs!
Grab A Copy Here
My Thoughts
My family and I currently have four guinea pigs, two males and two females. Having guinea pigs when I was growing up, I knew I would enjoy having guinea pigs again as an adult. Guinea pigs are a bit skittish, but they are so soft and love cuddles. Guinea pigs do not do well as solitary animals and must have a friend with them as they get very lonely.
This is a children’s book, but I think it works wonderfully as a book adults can read especially adults that enjoy guinea pigs. Beautiful illustrations really enhance the book. Perfect for gift giving and reading to the children in your life.
This book is a fictionalized version of the life and adventures of the author and her family’s six guinea pigs over twenty years. From outside adventures, playing in the snow, being visited by Santa and almost becoming famous doing commercials for a drink company the guinea pigs and their family had so much fun. I could see the piggies were very loved and well taken care of. This book is the perfect fit for me, and I loved reading about the guinea pigs’ adventures.
Pub Date 01 Dec 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
https://www.facebook.com/people/Patricia-Maxwell-Watts-Author/100087442561307/
Patricia Maxwell Watts is a seventy-four-year-old widow. She retired recently after twenty-one years from a well-known health care company, leaving her time to write her debut.
Does this sound like a book you would enjoy reading? Please let me know in the comments. Do you have a guinea pig or have you ever had one?
Thank you for stopping in today. The kids have a snow day from school, and we are relaxing. It sounds like a good cookie baking day today. Enjoy your day.
About The Book
The heart-tugging true story of an abandoned puppy named Teddy and the devoted animal rescuer who took him in, showed him love, and—against all odds—found him a home. . . .
He was delivered on her doorstep like a present: a frightened, straggly-haired puppy inside a large cardboard box. As owner of an animal shelter, Barby Keel had seen plenty of abandoned animals. But there was something extra special about this one. With his oversized paws, long legs, and awkward gait, he was bigger than most puppies but a big softie at heart. He was so sweet and cuddly, Barby named him Teddy, like a Teddy bear. But finding this Teddy a home would be no picnic . . .
The first family that adopted Teddy returned him 24 hours later. They said he chewed up everything and cried all night long. The second family returned him after a month. Why? Teddy refused to be housebroken. Over the next few weeks, Barby devoted herself to the unruly pup. Soon, he was settling into the sanctuary, playing with the other animals, even rescuing a baby chick. But every night, Teddy reverted back to being a scared little puppy. With Barby’s loving care—and a lot of patience—he slowly began to overcome his fears. And as the two grew closer, Barby began to wonder if Teddy had already found his forever home—with her . . .
Filled with beautiful life lessons in unconditional love, mutual trust, and unshakable devotion, Teddy’s story is sure to find a special place in every animal lover’s heart.
My Thoughts
I put off reading this book because I knew it would make me cry and it did, more than once.
I am such a softy when it comes to animals, I even cried when I read Charlotte’s Web when I was a child. I had no idea the spider would die.
As such an animal lover it was hard to read this book in places especially when it detailed the abuse the puppy received before it was unceremoniously dumped in a cardboard box outside of the gates of Barb Keely’s pet rescue center.
The Barby Keely Animal Sanctuary in the beautiful Sussex countryside was never meant to be. Barby’s father brought home animals needing rescued and this is she got her passionate love for animals. Built from the ground up, it is still one of the remaining private sanctuaries in Britan.
I loved seeing how Barby has such a true passion for animals and devotes her whole life to them.
Though the book does get into the some of the other animals that were there at the time of the writing, many cats, several dogs, a rescue horse, chickens, ducks, goats, and more animals.
Most of the book focuses on Teddy though, a gorgeous Wolfhound/ Briard mix who just wanted love and affection but just got abuse in his former home. The puppy was huge, gangly and prone to chewing and knocking things over because of his size. Well, we all know puppies chew, they need to supervised, shown love and understanding and given toys which was done when he arrived at the sanctuary. Teddy is what we call a foster fail. Now if you don’t know what that is, it is when a dog goes to a new home to be adopted but is returned because they are not compatible with their new home. This happened with Teddy multiple times. I think the author was more than happy about this as her heart had already fallen in love with this dog. Like many dogs, Teddy has behavioral issues that Barby works with a dog behavioralist to help get them straightened out. She shows a lot of compassion for her animals, and it just makes my heart sing to read about someone so devoted to animals such as this woman. I would really love to meet her and visit her animal sanctuary one day. I am a better person for having read this book.
Please if you have a little extra consider donating to your local animal shelter, their vet bills and feeding cost are so expensive. Also, won’t you please consider donating some of your time to volunteering at these animal shelters. They always appreciate all you can do for them.
Here is the link to her animal sanctuary if you’d like more information on it https://barbykeelanimalsanctuary.org/
June 29,2021 publish date.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
Hello, My name is Barby Keel and I have run the Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary in the lush Sussex countryside since 1971, with plenty of help along the way.
We are a non-profit making charity rehoming or providing permanent refuge for abused, abandoned and unwanted animals. We operate a no destruction policy.
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